Are you a fan of the classic comedy film “Vegas Vacation” starring Chevy Chase? If so, you may have found yourself wondering just how much Clark Griswold won during his wild gambling adventure in Sin City.
Well, wonder no more! In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Clark’s big win and break it down for you.
The Setup
In “Vegas Vacation,” the Griswold family heads to Las Vegas for a vacation filled with fun and excitement. Of course, Clark can’t resist hitting the casinos in hopes of striking it rich. He starts off by playing blackjack with Rusty, his son, and quickly loses $2000.
The Big Win
Determined to win back his money (and then some), Clark heads to the roulette table and places a bet on number 7. To his surprise and delight, the ball lands on 7 and he wins big – $25,000 to be exact!
The Math Behind the Win
So how much is $25,000 really worth? Well, it depends on how you look at it.
In 1997 when “Vegas Vacation” was released, $25,000 had a lot more buying power than it does today due to inflation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ inflation calculator, $25,000 in 1997 is equivalent to about $42,000 in 2021.
What Could Clark Have Done With His Winnings?
Assuming Clark did indeed keep his winnings (which is debatable given his tendency towards bad luck), what could he have done with that money? Here are a few possibilities:
- Paid off some of the family’s debt
- Put money towards Rusty’s college fund
- Taken Ellen (his wife) on a nice vacation
- Invested the money for the future
In Conclusion
So there you have it – Clark Griswold’s big win in “Vegas Vacation” was $25,000 (or about $42,000 in today’s dollars). While it may not be enough to retire on, it certainly gave the Griswold family a much-needed boost during their chaotic Las Vegas adventure.